Don Peat, QMI Agency

Her decision, she said Wednesday morning, is based on council’s decision to strip Ford of his powers.

“The city council of Toronto made a decision about the leadership at the city, I have been consistent in my approach which is to meet with the deputy mayor who has the responsibility to be the leader at Toronto city council and that’s what I will continue to do,” Wynne said.

She flatly denied Ford’s involvement in the provincial byelections last summer had anything to do with her decision.

She said as long as Ford is stripped of his powers, she’ll keep meeting with the deputy mayor.

In response to Wynne’s comments, the mayor’s staff handed out a briefing note from city staff outlining the mayor’s remaining authority despite council’s decision to strip him of some of his powers in the wake of his crack cocaine scandal.

Ford’s staff highlighted the part of the briefing note that states the mayor remains the head of council as mandated by the province’s City of Toronto Act.

As the head of council, Ford represents the city at official functions and acts as the chief executive officer.